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Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
4.6 ★★★★★ 14,497 Google reviews · Indoor playground in West Orange, New Jersey
Popular local go-to for families features wild animal exhibits, petting zoo, carousel & mini-train.
Plan your visit
- Ages 0–2 — the venue's own stated range
- Admission around $5 — prices change and often vary by age or day, so check with the venue
- Memberships available — worth asking about if you'd come back often
- Online waiver sign it before you go to skip the front-desk line
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (973) 731-5800
- Website turtlebackzoo.com
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM |
What parents highlight
“The enclosures are clean, the animals look healthy and active, and there are plenty of shaded spots for breaks.”
“The staff were friendly and helpful, and there were plenty of shaded areas and rest spots, which made walking around comfortable.”
“Plenty of parking at the entrance.”
What parents say
You cannot beat the price per person on a weekend to enter this Very nice zoo! Stop by if you love animals and take a look at all the beautiful wildlife that lives here !!
This is a review for Christmas experience at the Zoo Wow… can’t believe I didn’t know about this despite living in NJ for 8 years! Turtle Back Zoo turns into a complete Christmas paradise after 5 PM, and it’s absolutely magical.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Magical Christmas Experience We visited Turtle Back Zoo during the Christmas season and it was a beautiful and very special experience. The zoo was decorated with lights and Christmas decorations that created a magical atmosphere, especially at dusk.
We arrived at 3 PM on Sunday so there was a good amount of people but it wasn’t too crowded. They had a wide variety of animals from different regions around the world, including Australia, Asia, and Africa. There were so many animals to see, from penguins and flamingos to even a bald eagle.
Birthday parties at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo hosts birthday parties — confirmed on their own site. Packages, party rooms, and pricing change often, so check the current options and book ahead — weekend slots go fast at popular playgrounds.
Bringing a toddler?
Reviews and the venue's own info mention a dedicated toddler area or toddler times at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo — a separate space where little ones can play without dodging big kids.
Sensory-friendly play
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is mentioned for sensory-friendly sessions — typically quieter play times with lights and music turned down. Schedules for these change, so call ahead to confirm the next session before you go.
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